WASHINGTON, November 2 (RIA Novosti) - With 4.5 million people in the northeast United States still without power, mass transit issues clogging the most densely populated part of the nation, and a climbing death toll that has reached at least 90, it was crippling gasoline shortages and a pending running marathon that fueled the greatest sense of post-hurricane outrage on Friday.
“I went to a couple of places, they’ve all been closed… and then where there was electricity, no more gas,” one frustrated driver told Fox News at a long line of cars in Manhattan.
“I’ve been here an hour and a half,” she added. “Unbelievable.”
In New Jersey and New York, long lines of cars spilled into traffic, and so many fights broke out between drivers who were out of patience and stressed beyond their limits that police officers were sent in to keep the peace.
In the borough of Queens, police told CNN they arrested one man after he cut in line and then pulled a gun on a customer who confronted him.
Thousands of gas stations in both states were out of gasoline, electricity, or both, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA), a travel assistance group that tracks issues that affect motorists.
Hurricane Sandy damaged ports where fuel tankers go and flooded equipment that helps the fuel move through pipelines. And with no electricity, fuel terminals can’t pump gasoline onto tanker trucks.
At one gas station in New Jersey, the line of customers stretched for two miles, and analysts say the shortages could last through the weekend.
“It is crazy out here, people scrambling everywhere, cutting in front of people. I have never seen New Jersey like this, said Betty Bethea to NBC News, in line with her husband, who brought his truck, and her kids, who brought gas cans.
Meanwhile, local leaders in the borough of Staten Island blasted New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg for his decision not to halt Sunday’s New York City Marathon.
"The notion of diverting even one police officer, one first responder, one asset away from this carnage is beyond irrational,” Staten Island Councilman James Oddo told The New York Daily News.
"You know what happens on marathons - you put a cop on every corner. How are we going to have enough resources?" he asked.
The annual foot race has been run every year since 1970, coursing through all five boroughs of New York City for 26.219 miles (42.195 km).
It is one of the preeminent long-distance races in the world, traditionally attracting hundreds of thousands of spectators who line the route to cheer the runners on.
And it’s good for the city, bringing in an estimated $340 million.
"This city is a city where we have to go on," said New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, defending his decision and adding that a lot of small businesses rely on revenue from the race.
“We have to have an economy,” he said. “It’s a great event for New York, and I think for those who were lost, you’ve got to believe they would want us to have an economy and have a city go on for those that they left behind.”
"To host the New York City Marathon in the middle of what is complete devastation and a crisis in parts of this city is just wrong," said City Councilman Domenic Recchia, in an interview with CNN.
People in some neighborhoods can’t move on yet because they have no food, water or electricity, he said.
"To take one resource, one police officer to supervise a stupid marathon is a slap in the face to the borough," Staten Island Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis told the Staten Island Advance.
The New York Road Runners (NYRR), a non-profit running group that organizes the event, said this year’s race is dedicated to helping the communities impacted by Hurricane Sandy.
The group announced a Race to Recover Marathon Fund, donating $1 million for recovery efforts, and said it had secured more than $1.5 million more from sponsors.
“NYRR’s thoughts and prayers go out to all of those impacted by the devastating effects of Hurricane Sandy,” said Mary Wittenberg, president and CEO of NYRR in a statement.
“On Sunday, as runners cross the five boroughs, we want them to bring with them a sense of hope and resilience. The marathon is not just a race—it’s about helping NYC find its way on the road to recovery.”
Staten Island Borough President James Molinaro said residents were desperate for help.
"We have the worst tragedy that's ever happened in Staten Island, and I'd say New York City, since 9/11," said Molinaro to the Daily News. "We need help … We need food, we need clothing, we need everything you can possibly think of."
